Matthew West - My Own Little World (Slideshow With Lyrics)

As I listened to this song on the radio this morning I was struck by how true and powerful these words are. Please listen and read the words, also.
Dave & I are seeking to do ministry in Erie - and we are, with the school & daycare. This past Sunday evening I visited a local church in downtown Erie with my dad & his fiance'. They attend once a month, because Mary volunteers in their nursery. This church is part of the larger church (McLane Church) they attend in Edinboro. The name of the church - Church in a Bar. Yep, that's right! It's a church that's held in a bar. Each Sunday night they have the use of this facility (The Cell Block), because in PA bars cannot be open on Sundays, unless they are a restaurant. They open up their doors to the people in inner-city Erie. They offer them a church service, preaching from God's Word, and a free hot meal every Sunday night. Homeless off the street, people with very little material posessions, children who have a rough home life, etc. It was such an incredible gift to be a part of this last Sunday night. An added bonus was seeing my mom's Hospice nurse there. She is also a part of this ministry, and helps serve the hot meals. She was such a blessing to our family during a very difficult time, and I am always thankful each time I have an opportunity to see her again.
I am grateful that Dad & Mary are a part of this ministry once a month, & I look forward to going again and bringing Dave along the next time.
Is this world Population You? Or does your heart break for what break's our Heavenly Father's?
I am asking myself the same questions.

Trick-or-Treat and Other Stuff

Where have I been for the past two weeks, you might be asking? Most likely you are not asking this, and I must come to the realization that blogging is strictly for my enjoyment and no one else's. Oh well...I will continue to blog-on.

Life is busy, illness creeped into our little world, and well, did I mention that life is busy?

We have not been as sick as other members in our extended family, but we've been fighting colds and Joel & I spent the past couple days with a stomach bug. My brother, his family & my Grandma have suffered with the full blown flu - as well as most of the daycare staff and children that I am with a couple days a week.

I realized I did not post any pictures from our fun evening of trick-or-treating. We had the cutest fairy, flower & dog you've ever seen. We start our evening dropping in on family, and end by walking my Grandma's street in her subdivision gathering more candy than we possibly need. But, it's fun and the kids's enjoy talking to each person they get candy from. In fact, I usually have to pull them off of people's porches because they stop to visit and start telling their whole life story. I'm glad they're so friendly.

My Grandparents love seeing the kids, and my grandpa gets an even bigger kick out of teasing the kids with his funny hats and noses.  Julie walked in, took one look, and said "Graaaannnndpa, I knew it was you." 

Other than busyness and illness, life is about the same. I am in a contest with some co-workers to lose weight. I've been working very hard and changing my way of eating. I refuse to diet, my goal has been to do this in a way I can live with and maintain. So far I'm in the lead with a 17lb. weight loss. If you have healthy recipes your family loves - I'd love for you to share them with me. Please leave them in the comments or e-mail me.